Hampsch, Carter, Smith and Trahan Voted to Duke SAAC Executive Board

DURHAM – Duke Athletics recently announced its four representatives for the Atlantic Coast Conference 2023-24 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Executive Board.  

Duke senior field hockey student-athlete Piper Hampsch will serve as the Chair of the 2023-24 SAAC Executive Board and DeWayne Carter (football), Sydney Smith (women’s lacrosse) and Job Trahan (men’s track & field) round out Duke’s contingent on the committee.  

Hampsch will lead the executive board with the help of ACC SAAC Vice Chair Chloe Minas of the Pitt women’s soccer team and Olivia Summiel of the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team who will serve as the ACC’s representative to the NCAA Division I SAAC, which reports directly to the NCAA Division I Council. 

“There is no committee more important than the respective campus and conference student-athlete advisory committees,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “The members of this incredibly significant committee serve as a collective voice for our nearly 10,000 student-athletes and provide critical feedback and perspective as our league strives to fulfill the ACC’s mission to maximize the educational and athletic opportunities that shape our leaders of tomorrow.” 

Hampsch is currently pursuing a Master of Management Studies degree at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business after graduating last May. On the field, the native of Hopedale, Mass., has started 55 of her 60 games played in goal. She currently ranks eighth in Duke history with 241 career saves and has been instrumental in the Blue Devils moving to a No. 4 national ranking and 10-1 record this season.  

Carter recently was tabbed a semifinalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy awarded to the best football student-athlete in the nation for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.  

The Pickerington, Ohio, native has been instrumental in Duke’s defensive presence throughout his five years. In five games this year, Carter has recorded 15 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery. In the classroom, Carter is pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in education and theater and is set to graduate from Duke in December 2023.  

A sophomore defender, Smith played an integral role with Duke’s defensive unit as one of only…